In short
- One Ottawa firm's 2026 list puts a tub-to-shower conversion at $13,000–$15,000; another firm's list starts at $7,500 plus HST for labour and rough materials.
- A standard tub takes 14 to 16 sq ft of floor; the same firm says a shower can fit in as little as 9 sq ft.
- Replacing existing fixtures needs no City permit; changing the plumbing system does, and a plumbing-only permit is $117.
Typical prices in Ottawa
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $13,000–$15,000 | One Ottawa firm’s 2026 list |
| Tub to shower, labour and rough materials | from $7,500 + HST | Another firm’s list; you supply finishes |
| New shower installation | $4,500–$8,000 | HomeStars Ottawa guide |
| Moving plumbing | +$1,500–$5,000 | HomeStars; more with old cast-iron or copper pipe |
Sources. Seen 29.10.2026: Bytown Bath, Bathroom Remodeling Cost Ottawa; Miracle Dream Homes, Bathroom Renovation Cost; HomeStars, Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide for Ottawa; Bytown Bath, Small Bathroom Renovation; City of Ottawa, Building permit projects and Building Code Fee Schedule; CRA, Home accessibility expenses.
What changes in the room
A standard bathtub takes 14 to 16 square feet of floor, says one Ottawa firm’s guide, and a shower enclosure can fit in as little as 9. The alcove stays the same size. What goes in it is a base, a wall system, a valve, a drain and a door or curtain.
A tub drain sits at one end, beside the tap wall. A shower drain usually sits mid-base, so the floor opening changes. Photos of the room under the bathroom help the company plan where the new drain runs.
Three ways to build the shower
A one-piece or panelled base and walls made to fit the alcove goes in fast with few joints. A tiled shower on a waterproof membrane system suits odd sizes and gives control of the look. A third route keeps the tub shell and cuts a low door into it.
Miracle Dream Homes lists the first two as separate jobs: tub to shower from $7,500 for labour and rough materials, and a custom Schluter-style shower from $9,591. Bytown Bath puts the whole conversion at $13,000–$15,000. HomeStars’ number for installing a new shower is $4,500–$8,000. The spread shows that one phrase covers several levels of finish.
Drain, valve and the City permit
The City of Ottawa lists plumbing alterations, additions and extensions as permit projects and excludes replacing existing fixtures. A swap where drain and valve stay put sits close to a fixture replacement. A new drain position or a valve moved to another wall changes the system. When in doubt the City asks owners to call 3-1-1 or email the Building Code office first.
A plumbing-only permit is $117 per application on the 2026 schedule. A job that starts ahead of the permit pays 50% more on the fee, capped at $10,000. Ask who files the application and put the answer in the contract. HomeStars adds $1,500–$5,000 when plumbing moves.
What pushes the price up
- Layout. Keeping drain and valve where they are is the cheapest route.
- Walls and floor. A soft or stained tub wall behind the old surround adds repairs.
- Finish. Installed tile runs $9–$50 per square foot in HomeStars’ table, and glass costs more than a curtain.
- Extras. Niche, bench, heated floor, fan. Bytown notes a small bathroom does not always cost less, since waterproofing and demolition stay the same.
Days without a bath
Bytown advertises its walk-in showers as a one-to-three-day job. A tiled shower takes longer because the layers go in sequence. HomeStars’ Ottawa figure for a standard full bathroom is one to two weeks. See how long a renovation takes.
Money back at 65+ or with a disability
The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit covers renovations that help a qualifying person get into or move about the home. That person has turned 65 by December 31 or qualifies for the disability tax credit. The claim is capped at $20,000 of expenses a year, and the CRA asks you to keep invoices and proof of payment. Details are on the tax credit page and the accessible bathroom page.
Who quotes the swap
One independent renovation company takes the request. It phones you, checks the tub wall and the drain, and sends the price in writing. For a curbless base, the walk-in shower page goes further.
Questions to ask the company
- Does the price include the base and wall system, or only labour?
- Where does the new drain sit, and does the floor open up?
- Does the valve stay where it is, or does the supply line move?
- Is HST in the number, and the glass door too?
- Which days is the house without a shower or bath?
Have this ready for the call
- Photos of the tub, the tap wall and, if upstairs, the ceiling below.
- Alcove width, wall to wall, in inches.
- Who showers here, with any balance or mobility concern.
- Whether another bathroom stays usable during the work.
Questions people ask
Why do two Ottawa firms print $7,500 and $13,000 for the same swap?
The lists describe different bundles. One firm’s $7,500 is a starting price for labour and rough materials with HST added; its all-inclusive package starts at $10,450. The other quotes $13,000–$15,000 as a typical range. Ask each company what sits inside the number.
What if this is the only tub in the house?
Decide before the quote. The shower takes the footprint of the tub, and the bath is gone once the tub leaves. Tell the company who lives in the house, including any small children, so the plan fits the household.
Can I keep my tub and add a low door instead?
Some firms cut a watertight door into an existing tub. One Ottawa firm lists that conversion at $2,400–$5,700, well below a full swap. The bather still sits to bathe and steps over a lower edge. Ask which fits the person using it.
Can grab bars and a slip-resistant floor be part of the job?
One Ottawa firm lists grab bars and slip-resistant flooring among the safety upgrades on its tub-to-shower job, with a typical range of $13,000 to $15,000. Mention them in the request even if nobody needs them yet, and ask the company to name them as lines in the written quote.
Does the quote cover taking the old tub away?
A cast-iron or steel tub is heavy and awkward on stairs, so removal and disposal should be a named line in the written quote. Ask whether the crew hauls it and whether it needs the driveway for a bin.
